The Rise of Contract & Interim Hiring: What It Means for Your Business in 2025

The hiring market is changing, and one of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is the steady rise of contract and interim talent. In 2024, 36% of U.S. jobs were non-permanent roles, and by 2028 that number is expected to reach 50%. At the same time, more than half of U.S. companies increased their use of contract talent last year.

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This isn’t a temporary adjustment. It’s a long-term transformation in how companies build and manage their teams.

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Why companies are leaning on contract talent

Flexibility in uncertain times: Teams can scale up or down quickly as business needs shift.

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• Specialized expertise: Contract professionals bring niche skills for critical projects without adding permanent headcount.
• Bridging workforce gaps: Covering parental leave, supporting system rollouts, or managing integrations often requires short-term support.
• Changing career paths: Many professionals now prefer flexible work and are choosing contract or interim opportunities.

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What this means for employers

Contract hiring opens the door to speed, agility, and stronger cost control. It also redefines what a “team” looks like by combining permanent staff with contract and interim talent.

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Permanent hiring is still critical for long-term stability, but the way companies approach it is changing. Leaders are spending more time on skill-based evaluation and longer screening processes, while supplementing their teams with contract talent to keep work moving.

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The challenge is making it strategic. Success comes from building a workforce plan that blends permanent and contract talent intentionally, rather than treating contract hiring as a quick fix.

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How Pinnacle helps

At Pinnacle, we work with clients to identify when contract talent is the right solution and connect them with professionals who can deliver results immediately. At the same time, our permanent search team partners with companies to secure leaders who can drive growth and provide long-term stability.

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In practice, this means helping clients balance both sides of the equation: permanent hires that anchor the business and flexible talent solutions that provide agility when it’s needed most.

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Looking Ahead

2025 will not be defined by a sudden rebound. It will be defined by agility. Companies that adapt their workforce strategy to include flexible talent solutions will be the ones that move forward with confidence. At Pinnacle, our commitment is to help you navigate that shift with clarity and the right people by your side.

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